Painkillers: State of Drugs & Prescription in India

If you are looking to save money on prescription drugs and considering getting it from online pharmacies, you need to know whom to trust and the legal attributes attached to it, especially when it is about purchasing controlled substances. By controlled substances, we mean narcotic painkillers, sedatives, stimulants and anabolic steroids. Never buy drugs and painkillers without a prescription from a licensed doctor.

Indian Medical Association (IMA)

IMA issued guidelines this year on painkillers which advocated against prolonged and un-prescribed usage stating that it causes more harm than good. IMA clearly stated against the common perception that like paracetamol or aspirin can be consumed for pain or fever without consulting a doctor. The guideline also put limitation on heavy painkillers like morphine and codeine which is essential to treat dangerous and painful illnesses like cancer.

Common painkillers

We may be addicted to painkillers even without knowing it! On a daily basis, depending upon the kinds of pain we experience like toothache, period pain or headache, we might consume painkillers like Brufen to fix it. For patients suffering from arthritis, they consume painkillers on a daily basis and unaware they are addicted and hooked on to it. Such consumption of painkillers can often result in kidney and heart failures.

Therefore, always buy drugs only if you have a prescription from a licensed doctor and not a drug dealer. Make sure you are prescribed with a kidney and heart safe drug and avoid self medication.

Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances

Opioid analgesics, such as codeine and morphine are essential medicines for the treatment of severe unbearable pain. However due to the risk of it being abused or diverted for illicit purposes, the access to such painkiller are regulated and controlled. Patients in India are allowed weaker opioids, which is used to treat chronic or terminally ill patients.

Such drugs can only be accessed and prescribed if the patient’s illness is extremely severe. It requires the patient to sign a ‘Treatment agreement’ and consent for drug monitoring test.

Always consult a doctor and get a prescription. Remember, we have doctors for a reason and have a high medical and legal baggage associated with it. So the next time you take your painkiller, keep all these factors in mind and consume wisely.